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Distracted driving

Driving while distracted can leave you, your passengers and other travelers unsafe.

Today’s drivers seem to be more distracted than ever before. Michigan State University Extension suggests asking yourself, what is distracted other drivers and how does it affect you? Are you adding to this huge problem? What are some ways to cut down on distracted driving?

Distracted driving is defined as driving while doing anything else that takes your focus and attention away from driving. Have you ever put lipstick on while driving, shaved your face, smoked, reached down to the floor for something that fell, sent a text message, looked at your phone, ate food while steering with your legs, fixed your hair or talked on the phone while holding it? These may seem like normal everyday things, but in fact they are considered major attributes to distracted driving. Distracted driving has grown to be so big that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that, “Each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,060 people are injured in crashes that are reported involves a distracted driver.” People are not paying attention to driving and thus it has become a huge problem that is continuing to grow each and every day. Children are also picking up these bad habits from adults and have become even more of a problem with distracted driving than adults.

Many states have adopted laws that prevent texting while driving and are handing out some stiff tickets to individuals who are caught doing so. Some other precautions you can take are if you really need to talk on the phone is to invest in a Bluetooth kit that allows you to talk to someone without picking your phone up. You can always turn your phone off and place it in the glove box of the car. Finish grooming before you enter your car. Secure your pets so that don’t cause any unexpected surprises while you are driving.

MSU Extension recommends that you do not engage in distracted driving and not to text and drive.

November 14, 2016 | Michelle Neff | Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for families to come together. During this time, explore how families and friends can intentionally build relationships, develop skills and create positive memories.

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